HOUSTON – On February 2nd, 2025, a United Airlines (UA) Airbus A319 was forced to abort its takeoff due to an engine failure at Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). The Airbus A319-100 with registration as N837UA was operating flight UA1382 from Houston to New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) with 104 passengers and five crew members on board.
The incident occurred as flight UA1382 was accelerating for takeoff on runway 15R when the crew detected the right-hand engine (V2522) failure. As a result, the crew aborted the takeoff at approximately 115 knots over the ground, as reported by the Aviation Herald. The A319 came to a stop on the runway, prompting an immediate response from airport emergency services.
Passengers on board later described hearing a loud “pop” followed by smoke billowing from the right engine.
Image via FL360aeroEmergency Response and Passenger Evacuation
Airport rescue firefighters were quickly dispatched to the aircraft after the crew reported smoke coming from the right engine. Shortly after coming to a complete stop, the flight crew requested fire trucks to attend to the aircraft. The Houston Fire Department’s Airport Rescue Firefighters (ARFF) arrived at the scene to assist with deboarding.
Passengers were evacuated using both emergency slides and stairs, ensuring a safe and orderly exit. All individuals on board were safely transported back to the terminal via buses, and no injuries were reported.
Video footage captured by a passenger showed visible flames and smoke emanating from the aircraft’s wing, causing panic among travelers. One passenger was heard pleading, “Please, please, get us out of here.”
Photo: Clément AlloingInvestigation and United Airlines’ Response
Following the incident, United Airlines issued a statement confirming that the aircraft “received an indication about one engine” during takeoff. The airline reassured passengers that their safety remained the top priority and arranged for an alternate aircraft to complete the journey. The replacement flight successfully departed at 2:00 p.m. CT, approximately five and a half hours after the original flight was scheduled to leave.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the engine failure to determine the cause of the malfunction. The aircraft involved will undergo a detailed technical inspection to assess any further damage and determine necessary repairs before returning to service.
Photo: Clément AlloingBottom Line: United Airlines A319 Aborts Takeoff
The quick decision-making by the pilots and the effective response from emergency teams ensured a safe outcome. While technical issues can occur in aviation, the industry’s stringent safety measures help prevent minor malfunctions from turning into major disasters.
Passengers praised United Airlines for their swift response and professionalism in handling the situation. As the FAA continues its investigation, more details on the cause of the engine failure are expected to emerge in the coming weeks.
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The post United Airlines A319 Aborts Takeoff Due to Engine Failure in Houston appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
